The Dutchwoman Shirin van Anrooij added the European under-23 women’s road race title to her gold medal in the time trial at these European Road Championships, being held in Anadia, Portugal.
The 104.5 kilometres of the under-23 women’s race had few dull moments. The first of the five laps of the circuit was the calmest, with the athletes studying each other. From then on the race situation changed from lap to lap.
On the second lap the peloton was divided in two groups. On the third lap, after those groups had joined, a group of eight cyclists stood out, including some favourites to win.
The peloton realized the danger they were in, and reacted, cancelling the escape. In this movement to “kill” the escape, a selection was made and it was a very selected peloton that prepared itself for the final lap.
A fall at the entrance of the last lap, involving, among others, Portuguese Daniela Campos, broke even more the main group.
In the final lap there was a succession of attacks, but the only successful one was signed by Shirin van Anrooij, who stood out, gaining a small advantage that she held until the finish line. The Dutch woman needed 2h57m41s to win her second title this week. Italian Vittoria Guazzini, second in the time trial, repeated the position in the road race, leading the peloton, which spent 11 seconds more than the winner. Third was Fem van Empel, compatriot of the winner.
Daniela Campos, who took off from the front group in the crash at the entrance to the last lap, was the best Portuguese, in the 40th position, 8m25s away.
On Sunday afternoon, the men’s road race closes the programme of the European Road Race Championships. The start for the 147.3 kilometres will be at 14h00.
